Boy have we got some tasty mixtape treats for you this week! Out feature this week comes from a favourite of ours, Zola Jesus and we keep the international vibe going with the first single from the new Nine Inch Nails album (you can read our review here), as well as cuts from British acts Sivu and Anna Calvi. On the local front we’ve got the first track in 13 years from Melbourne wunder-band Snout, and some new tunes from Seekae, Seabellies and Born Lion. There’s sure to be something to float your musical boat!
Zola Jesus – ‘Fall Back’
‘Fall Back’ is the brilliant lead single from Zola Jesus’ ethereal fourth album, Versions. The track opens with spine-tingling simplicity with Nika Roza Danilova’s silky voice only back dropped by a poignant string section. However, two minutes in it suddenly explodes to the next plateau. The orchestration suddenly picks up in intensity and Danilova’s vocals soar up an octave and become strained with heart-felt emotion. It continues on this intense level of drama and by its cathartic end you’ll be much more emotionally fragile than you were when you hit play.
Nine Inch Nails – ‘Everything’
Fans had already heard at least four sneak peeks of Hesitation Marks before the release of what Trent Reznor considers the most dynamic record in NIN’s eight-album, nearly 25 year career, but its unlikely that any of the remaining 10 unheard tracks would rattle as much as the upbeat synthpop, borderline-cheery sound of ‘Everything’. In fact if there’s evidence of Reznor sounding more positive in the band’s long-running pantheon than he does over the glossy chug here (which could very easily pass as Unit-era Regurgitator), it’s long since been dead and buried.
Seabellies – ‘It’s Alright’
The Sydney band are back with another foray into the world of beat-driven, yet lyrically based ambient alt-rock. This latest single pairs their signature percussive style with a catchy guitar line and a beautiful, echoey vocal melody. The boys are hitting the road later this month with I, A Man, and bringing their eclectic sound to the eat coast of Aus.
Seekae – ‘Another’
Alex Cameron’s move to vocal duties would be enough to make this track noteworthy, but the fact that it’s Seekae’s first original offering in two years only adds to the excitement surrounding ‘Another’. Light glimmery synths allow Cameron’s voice to echo a message to his current partner. He’s falling out of love and while he sings, “I want another girl” in tender tones the sporadic drum beats come in time just for the unfortunate one on the receiving end to hear the intensity. Synths eventually build toward strings before the song comes to a definitive halt as if to imply that Cameron is finally finished with this relationship.
Sivu – ‘Over & Over’
Here are three things you should know about Sivu. Real name James Page his moniker is traditionally a Finnish name. The video for his debut track, ‘Better Than He’ was filmed live from within an MRI scanner and his latest track ‘Over & Over’ is his most exquisite composition we’ve heard to date. While this track won’t see as many comparisons to Gotye as ‘Bodies’ did, with Alt-J’s producer, Charlie Andrew, on board for his album Sivu will be one to watch come 2014.
Anna Calvi – ‘Eliza’
English songstress Anna Calvi is releasing her sophomore album One Breath on October 7 and has just treated us with the record’s charged lead single, ‘Eliza’. It’s a hyper-emotional slice of raw indie rock lead by Calvi’s distinct, siren-like vocals soaring above the tough, pounding instrumentals. “Eliza”, she cries, elongating the name in her deep, crystalline tone – the same one that possessed the world back in 2011. Anna Calvi’s aura is out of this era.
Snout – ‘Turn All The Lights Down Low’
They’re back! And if you can believe it, it’s been 13 years since their last release. With the election looming, the Melbourne band decided now would be the perfect time to bring back some old (er) school. ’60s styled political jams. You can buy the song here, and all proceeds will go towards the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
Born Lion – ‘D Is For Danger’
Rocking Sydney four-piece Born Lion have smashed their way onto the airways with their current single ‘D For Danger’. With a touch of The Hives in the vocals, that’s where the similarities end as Born Lion are way more hard hitting on the much drums and much more punk driven with their guitar sound, then throw in some screaming backing vocals for good measure and the track being a short 2 minute and 45 seconds; it’s the perfect short sharp and punk rock length.
